Alux: Little Mythical Troublemaker And Guardian Of Corn Fields In Mayan Folklore
A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - In the mythology of Maya peoples from the Yucatán Peninsula and Guatemala, there are tales of curious creatures called aluxes. They are believed to be guardians of nature. They are often compared to elves, mythical creatures with magical powers.
Aluxes in Yaxchilán, Chiapas - The creatures are particularly popular in the Yucatan peninsula and in certain places in Belize and Guatemala. Credit: Jami Dwyer - Public Domain
The aluxes’ (in plural: ‘aluxo'ob,’) appearance is somewhat enigmatic and depends on different ancient cultural traditions. They can be sometimes associated with a leprechaun in Celtic folklore. Otherwise, Aluxes are small, approximately knee-high beings resembling miniatures of traditionally dressed Maya people.
However, according to other descriptions, depending on the tribe's original folklore, they can be between three and six feet tall and hairless. The creatures move into the area where a new farm is established. If they are treated with respect, they can be very helpful and are considered benevolent creatures, faithful to their owners but mischievous with strangers.
It is not recommended to talk and even name the alux loudly because the creature can be annoyed and leave its small house, causing a lot of trouble.
When the properties of their owners are passed on to others, the aluxes would appear and frighten the children. To appease them, the new owners are advised to give them food, honey, corn, and even cigarettes.
They are usually invisible but have the capability to assume human form to communicate with people, behave normally or frighten them if they want to. In this case, they can be compared to the pukwudgies, grey-faced humanoid creatures in Native American beliefs, which are said to be tricksters, and troublemakers, wreaking havoc, damaging crop fields, and spreading diseases.
The alux is generally associated with forests, caves, stones, cenotes, and fields but can also be tempted to move to another place in exchange for offerings.
Mayan farmers were always aware of their presence and were said to build a small two-story house in the middle of their cornfields, where the alux would live.
In this way, the creature would protect the field at night, summon rain and help grow the corn during the first seven years. When those seven years ended, the farmer must seal all openings in this little house to keep the alux inside.
If this was not done properly, the alux could run wild and start playing tricks on people.
Left and Rigt: Credit: Gary Todd - Maya Gallery, INAH, National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City - CC0
Although the Maya folklore associated with the aluxes is very old, the tradition of building the so-called kahtal alux, ("houses of the alux") is still alive among contemporary Mayans, although no one is able to explain why.
The Maya themselves explain the aluxes as the spirits of their ancestors, or the spirits of the land itself, prior to contact with Western civilization.
Other cultures have also strange stories of little creatures: the Shoshone tribe of Native Americans that originally lived in what is now Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, and Utah.
They have stories of tiny people known as the nimerigar. Many say these creatures are nothing more than just myths.
We cannot say, however, that all stories about the little people are fantasies. The physical remains of tiny people have been reported in various locations (mostly in caves) in the western United States, especially in Montana and Wyoming. One such discovery made in 1932, and later known as the Pedro mummy, was reported by two prospectors, Frank Carr and Cecil Main, who found it accidentally in a cave in the Pedro Mountains of Wyoming. As Carr and Main said, the mummy (only six inches tall in its seated position but with all proportions of an adult) had been sitting upright on a ledge in the cave, as if it had been waiting for them.
In most cases, these small beings were discovered in caves. Examination of the small bodies has been conducted, but the results of the studies have not always been revealed to the public.
Updated on May 2, 2022
Written by – A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
Expand for referencesReferences:
Clayton, Maya Mythology
Rose C. Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins
More From Ancient Pages
-
The Helm Of Awe – Powerful Viking Symbol For Physical, Mental And Spiritual Protection
Ancient Symbols | May 25, 2018 -
European Bronze Age Treasure Of Villenna Has Artifacts Made Of Meteoric Iron
Archaeology | Feb 12, 2024 -
Ancient Roman Joke Inscribed On A 2,000-Year-Old Pen – Discovered
Archaeology | Jul 29, 2019 -
Shield Maiden Freydis Eiriksdottir – Hot-Tempered Daughter Of Erik The Red Terrified Native Americans
Featured Stories | Dec 4, 2017 -
Baba Yaga Lego Created By Russian Artist Brings Classic Slavic Mythological Figures To Life
Myths & Legends | Feb 23, 2021 -
Maya Site With At Least 300 Buildings Some Of Which Are Over 8 Meters High – Discovered
Archaeology | Sep 16, 2022 -
Eurasian Horse Riders Played Ball Games 3,000 Years Ago – Leather Balls Found In Graves Reveal
Archaeology | Oct 12, 2020 -
Ankhesenamun – Mysterious Death Of Tutankhamun’s Wife Ended The True Amarna Bloodline
Featured Stories | Mar 23, 2018 -
Mysterious Ancient Falicon Pyramid And Its Complex Obscure History
Featured Stories | Nov 28, 2018 -
10 Christian Symbols Explained
Ancient Symbols | Jul 28, 2018 -
‘Skeleton Mosaic’ – 2,400-Year-Old Scenes Depicted On Glass Artwork Found In Turkey
Archaeology | Apr 23, 2016 -
Hybrid Camels Revealed In Ancient Arab Temple Art At Hatra, Northern Iraq
Archaeology | Mar 15, 2022 -
On This Day In History: Leon Trotsky Was Assassinated – On August 20, 1940
News | Aug 20, 2016 -
Makhunik – 5,000-Year-Old City Of Dwarfs Who Hoped To Return One Day
Civilizations | May 28, 2014 -
Never-Before-Seen Structures Of King Herod’s Magnificent Palace Herodium Unveiled
Archaeology | Dec 11, 2020 -
Beowulf Is Much Older Than Previously Thought And Not An English Poem – Professor Says
Linguistic Discoveries | Jan 6, 2020 -
Hundreds Of Undiscovered Roman Forts Revealed By Spy Satellites
Archaeology | Oct 27, 2023 -
On This Day In History: Admiral John Byng Charged With ‘Failing To Do His Utmost’ – Executed – On Mar 14, 1757
News | Mar 14, 2017 -
Unraveling The Secret History Of King Arthur And Robin Hood
Featured Stories | Jul 14, 2015 -
Unique Ancient Coast Salish War Club Accidently Discovered In British Columbia Backyard
Archaeology | Mar 22, 2022